It was "kid in a candy store" time when LA's Scent Bar invited me to join manager Steven Gontarski in a survey of our favorite indie fume picks of the last year or so. While Steven zeroed in on smoke and incense and leathers, I was captivated by narcotic white flowers: lily, tuberose, orange blossom.

24 comments:

Ramón Monegal as an indie brand? Oh, well... If By Kilian gets Fragrance Foundation Indie Award why not but for me it sounds strange. As well as naming Bertrand Duchaufour's perfumes in that category. But probably we understand that term differently.

Undina, I use "niche" and "indie" interchangeably, generally indicating "smaller perfume lines not available at the local mall". But now you've got me thinking about a distinction between the two terms. Tell me what you have in mind - I'm always looking for a way to clarify how I talk about perfume.

I'm not saying that my classification is the correct one but I always thought that "indie" goes for those perfumes that are actually produced by perfumers - e.g. Tauer Perfumes, Sonoma Scent Studio, DSH Perfumes. Those with limited "number of doors" but produced industrially I consider to be "niche" - e.g. By Kilian, Ramon Monegal or Parfumerie Generale.

That's good distinction - I figured that's what you meant, Undina. It's a useful classification, and I do believe I'll adopt it.

But I find when chatting to civilians about perfume, they understand "indie" more readily than "niche", since they know the indie concept via music and film - so I end up calling all non-mall perfume "indie".

Fabulous picks all round, dear Katie - but a special hurrah for 'Black Amber'!! I love this fragrance - in fact, I wouldn't turn my nose up at most of the Agonists. A friend of mine actually bought it at Scent bar when visiting LA back at Easter time, and my furtive snorting of her just became embarrassing ( for her; not me). I bought my own bottle last month. True love. Justineantonia xoxo

Goodness, where have I been? I have only sniffed two of these - Seville a l'aube and Cuir de Nacre. The standout highlight for me from the Ramon Monegal line (howsoever classified) was Ambra di Luna. Positively swoonworthy.

and ...how charming and handsome is Steven? Just "googled" him to discover he is an incredible artist- among many other talents...this, and that dashing stache make him "swoon- worthy" I hope that doesn't sound offensive or stalker-ish...just sayin.....

It's a delight to hear two informed enthusiasts waxing lyrical about perfume. I've a sample of What We Do In Paris Is Secret and I've been debating if it's a future buy or near-future. More exploration is clearly called for.

Black Amber sounds toe-curling-- I'm going to have to check that out. Heck, they all sound wonderful!Thanks for the reviews.

Boston Ivy is as close as I've ever gotten to designating a perfume as a "signature scent." I realize that it came out in 2011, but for me, of all the fragrances I've tried this year, this is the one I wear the most.